It is a well-known fact that Canadians are keen gamblers; it just seems to be part of the cultural DNA. It is reported that around six out of ten partake in gambling. While most people are casual or social gamblers spending up to $20 a month, three per cent stake over $100 a month. Online casino gambling is particularly popular, and there were estimated to be 11.8 million mobile gamers in 2023, a number expected to rise to 14.1 million by 2028.
Each province regulates its own gaming market, but the conundrum for players is the same across the country: how to find a reputable online casino that offers the best bonuses and winning odds, while also providing maximum entertainment. Fortunately, the expert review teams have got all the bases covered. With over ten years of experience, the team have reviewed more than one hundred and fifty regulated casinos to find sites that players can trust.
Licensing and Regulation
To stay safe online, the starting point is to only play on licensed sites. While some might seem to offer unbelievably attractive odds or games, if you cannot find out who licenses the site, there is a better-than-even chance it is not legitimate. You could find yourself on a fraudulent site, with all the promises disappearing (along with your data or payment details).
Independent expert reviewers at Casino.ca have an in-depth review process, and the first thing they check is the licensing credentials. This could come from a Canadian regulator, such as iGaming Ontario or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, or from an overseas regulator, such as the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or Curacao eGaming. The Canadian Criminal Code prohibits private companies from operating online casinos within the country, but in provinces without a regulated home market, online gambling is available through offshore-based companies
Ratings and Reviews
This is where you can really use some expert advice. Online review sites let players compare and contrast Canadian online casinos, with reviews and ratings of every casino feature, making it easier for you to decide. Always choose an independent review site to ensure that you are not getting biased recommendations. Online influencers often have sponsorship deals, so they are not necessarily always reliable sources for what is hot and what is not. Reviews and ratings are a great guide, but can be misleading, so check the reviewer’s credentials before taking their choices at face value.
Security and fairness
While bonuses and game selection make a site exciting, proper security and provable fairness ensure a player can have an entertaining experience. The easiest way to ensure sites are secure and fair is to check that they hold licenses from reputable authorities, as these bodies enforce fairness and player protection policies.
Great sites always use SSL encryption to protect personal and financial data. Finally, fairness comes via games being provably fair with the Random Number Generators powering them having been verified by external bodies like eCOGRA.
Customer support
We never realize we need customer support until we do. That is when it is all too easy to discover that customer support is not what it should be. Expert reviewers check customer service before making any recommendations. A great site will offer 24/7 support via phone, chat, or email (ideally all three, so you can use your preferred option). Customer service should be easy to locate and contact, and should respond quickly and professionally.
Deposits, withdrawals and payment methods
At a land-based casino, making deposits and withdrawals is easy. You go to the physical cashier and trade in your money for casino chips. The principles at online casinos are the same, but transactions are digital. However, you have to make deposits to fund your casino account, which can then be used to play the games. Most online casinos offer around ten to fifteen payment options. There are usually more deposit options than withdrawal options. Often, how you pay in affects how you can withdraw, so make sure you check the details on both sides of the transaction. If you want fast payouts, you will need to choose a method that pays out within hours or days, not weeks.
Check out the minimum deposit that can be made, too, as this can affect your choices. It is always advisable to use a payment method that has the same address as your casino account, as this speeds up verification processes. In Canada, Interac is the number one choice with 88% of players selecting this as their preferred funding source.
Software providers
The best online casinos work with the top software providers. Look for names like Playtech, Apricot (formerly Microgaming) or NetEnt. If live gaming is your thing (and let’s face it, this is the hottest trend at the moment), the trusted provider is Evolution Gaming. Evolution Gaming has the largest portfolio of live dealer games, highly professional dealers, fast, stable, mobile-optimized streams and innovative formats. There are other live dealer providers like Pragmatic Play Live, Bet Games and Authentic Gaming, but if you do not recognize the software provider, the recommendation is to avoid the site.
The top software providers bring immersive graphics, innovative game mechanics, and seamless play on mobile and desktop devices to deliver players true gaming gems and a thrilling experience.
Bonuses and promotions
Every online casino wants to attract players to its site, and the most common way to do this is through bonuses and promotions. The biggest-looking bonuses do not always offer the best opportunity for players. Make sure you check out all the wagering requirements to make sure they are achievable and fair. A great online casino will offer generous bonuses and free spins – particularly for new players. A really great online casino will do the same for loyal players, too!
Playing safely and for fun
Finally, it is important to remember that online casinos are a form of entertainment and should be fun. Players should be aware of potential gambling harms. Therefore, the advice is never to gamble more than you can afford to lose and to set clear budget and time limits before you start. Never borrow to try to win back losses, and know when to walk away! Online casinos should always be fun, safe and fair.
